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Henry
He was staring at a bat. The rodent was violently flying around the cage Mark trapped him in, making his annoying screeching sound.
»Where did you catch him?« he turned to face Mark.
»He was lurking next to the City Hall. Wonder why.« Mark grinned.
»Good job. Now we need to find out how exactly is Bat connected to his pets.« He gave Mark a sealed letter. »Take this and the bat to the Guild. They'll know what to do.«
Mark nodded and left with the bat. Henry turned to his guardsmen.
»Meanwhile we wait for the results, we need to keep searching for Bat. We captured one of his bats, so he would need to plant another near the City Hall. Double the guard and keep your eyes open.«
»As you say, sir.« the guardsmen announced and followed Mark outside..
After his men left, Henry remained alone in the room. Bat. And this time I actually have a chance of catching him. He recalled the first time he met him, during the war. The war, of course. In the end, everything leads back to the war. The same war that changed our lives forever. Before the war, he was just another of Lord Sunderland's retainers. But soon after the first battle against the imperial army, he was already hired into the professional troops. From there on, his career has only advanced. After the Empire surrendered and each of the four countries became independent again, Henry was appointed as the chief commander of the Longshore city guard and alos given a post on the war council. The same war council that will meet after I catch Bat. The Chairman had made it plainly clear that he won't call the council until Bat is in custody. But Henry knew catching Bat will be far from an easy task. Underestimating Bat had almost cost the Allied forces their victory at Tai Hom Village. The commanders boasted that the camp was spy-proof: no information could leave the army without them knowing about it. Bat was able to make them think again, when he acquired their complete strategic plan and was ready to inform the Empire about it. The only thing that saved the allies that day was the recklessness of the imperial commanders. The enemy attacked well before Bat made it back to the Tai Hom Village and when he informed the imperial army headquarters of the Alliance's intentions, their army was already defeated. Coincidence saved us. And the fact that the imperial generals decided to ignore Bat's mission and not wait for him to return. That mistake cost them the war. Frostland lords decided to side with whoever will win the battle, and when Coastland army took Tai Hom Village, thousands of northerners descended upon the Empire. With Heatland army keeping another part of the imperial host in the south, the Empire did not stand a chance. They managed to win some battles in the south, but the joined Coastland-Frostland army crushed their defenses in the north. In less than a year from the decisive battle, Stonewall was already under siege. And we won…or did we? With new conflicts on horizon, Henry was not too sure they handled the victory correctly. John.We should have seen through that guy. He betrayed his Emperor, what was stopping him from betraying us as well? And now Bat again…
A messenger interrupted him from remembering the past, bringing him a sealed letter. A request for my presence from the Chairman. Henry thanked the man and followed him. It was already getting dark outside, the streets were starting to empty and city guardsmen were lighting torches in front of the City Hall. The messenger accompanied Henry to the Chairman's rooms, where he left him. Henry knocked on the door.
»Enter.« said the voice on the other side. The Chairman was sitting behind his desk, signing a pile of parchments. He looked up. »How are we with Bat?«
»We're making progress, sir. We believe he is using bats to spy on us. We caught one nearby, the Guild is examining him as we speak.«
»Good.« The Chairman stood up. »Our spies have made a breakthrough as well. We learned the identity of one of Bat's accomplices.«
»Really? That's amazing, sir. Have you apprehended him yet?«
»I'm about to do it right away. Guards!«
Henry did not understand. »What is going on?« Five guardsmen approached him, one was holding a rope in his hands.
»You know damn well what's going on.« The Chairman gave him a sharp stare before he looked to the guards. »Take him. Extract as much information out of him as you can.«